"There's something I need to discuss with you, Arya. Let's talk while we walk," Sarwana suggested. He felt it was time for Arya to learn the truth about himself and the darker challenges he would face on his journey.
Arya exhaled sharply, a hint of irritation crossing his face. He was annoyed that Sarwana had interrupted his brief moment of peace. However, the young man reminded himself that he couldn't afford to slack off if he truly wanted to become a great warrior and destroy the human trafficking syndicate that had almost sold him.
"Alright, let's leave now!" Arya replied, his eyes sweeping over the dozens, perhaps hundreds, of monkeys in the area. Their warmth and friendliness had made him feel at home in the gorge.
As they walked toward the training ground, Sarwana began explaining what an old hermit had told him about the darker side of the genius figure mentioned in the prophecy.
"What makes you so certain that I'm the one mentioned in the prophecy?" Arya asked, still skeptical of the claim.
"There are no specific traits described about the figure in the prophecy, Arya. But I've drawn this conclusion based on detailed observations. From the moment you consumed the Tundra Moss, memorized the King Dragon Manual, and unified the pure and natural elements within your body, you've displayed unique qualities unmatched by anyone else," Sarwana explained, his gaze fixed on the moss-covered rocky path ahead.
"And the creatures you mentioned yesterday—those were dragons. The place you were taken to was the Dragon World, a realm that only certain individuals can access," Sarwana continued.
"The Dragon World? But do those creatures actually exist?"
Sarwana smiled at Arya's question. He paused briefly, picking up a shiny black stone from the path and examining it carefully. A deep frown creased his forehead before he resumed walking.
"Dragons are mythical creatures whose existence has yet to be proven, Arya. But I believe they are real and inhabit a separate world," Sarwana replied.
"What's that in your hand?" Arya asked, pointing to the black stone.
"I'm not sure. In the hundreds of years I've lived here, this is the first time I've seen a stone like this. The natural energy within it is remarkably strong, unlike any ordinary stone," Sarwana said as he continued to study the object.
The two walked on, heading toward the training ground. Sarwana felt a sense of relief after sharing his thoughts. Now it was up to Arya to harness the unique potential within him.
After some time, they arrived at the site where Arya had undergone his inner strength enhancement process.
"I'll stay with you here for two or three days. Once I feel you can manage on your own, I'll leave," Sarwana said.
Arya nodded.
"For starters, I'll teach you the basics of Kanuragan (martial techniques). Since you already have inner strength, it's just a matter of translating the movements you've memorized into action," Sarwana explained.
The great ape then demonstrated various stances a warrior should use to fortify their defense.
As a critical thinker, Arya immediately protested. To him, defense wasn't just about stances but integrating attack and defense into a seamless flow.
"Focusing solely on stances without follow-up movements is pointless. It makes our bodies vulnerable and open to enemy attacks," Arya argued.
Sarwana scratched his head, puzzled. How could someone just starting to learn the basics of Kanuragan make such an analysis?
"Stances have always been used by warriors, Arya. A solid stance can determine the outcome of a battle," Sarwana countered.
"That's a flawed approach, Sarwana. If stances are the standard for warriors, why do some win while others lose in battles? Both fighters use solid stances, don't they?"
"It's because of differences in quality, Arya," Sarwana insisted.
"Exactly! That's my point. If we have quality, stances become irrelevant. The strength of our defense depends on how we maximize our abilities," Arya explained.
Sarwana blinked, staring at the sky as he processed Arya's words. "You're right. Every movement during a fight can be a stance. The solidity of our defense depends on us. If we're careless or underestimate our opponent, that's what leads to defeat."
"In the techniques I've memorized, I won't rely on traditional stances. Every technique has its unique stances, which opponents can recognize and counter. If they anticipate our moves, they'll prepare their defenses," Arya reasoned.
Sarwana was stunned. Arya's explanation was logical and flawless.
"Alright, Arya. Do what you think is best. Only you can determine your potential—not me or anyone else. Even a skilled teacher doesn't always produce skilled students. It depends on how the student develops their mind, and I believe you have that intelligence," Sarwana praised.
Closing his eyes, Arya visualized the first technique he wanted to practice. Then he walked away to train on his own, without Sarwana's assistance.
Time passed swiftly, and before long, evening approached.
Observing Arya throughout the day, Sarwana concluded that the young man no longer needed supervision. Arya's ability to execute and adapt the movements he had memorized far exceeded expectations. Despite being a beginner, he quickly mastered each technique. While not yet perfect, his progress was remarkable for someone who had just begun learning Kanuragan.
One thing astonished Sarwana even more: Arya instinctively combined his inner strength with the techniques he was practicing without prior instruction.
"A true genius," Sarwana muttered to himself. He was confident that Arya wouldn't need more than three months to master all the techniques in the King Dragon Manual. This belief was based on the extraordinary progress he had witnessed.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, a fierce battle was underway. A middle-aged man was surrounded and attacked by seven others. Judging by their attire, the seven attackers were Ronggo's disciples, searching for the Flame Dragon Sword.